Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sydney Mullen

The Sarasota High volleyball team is entering a new era under first-year coach Emma Thrift, and some returning veterans will be back to help usher in that change.

Libero Sydney Mullen, a 5-foot-5 junior, is back after posting the second-most digs on the team (157) last season along with receiving the third-most serves (134) and posting the third-most aces (23).

When and why did you start playing volleyball?

I started playing volleyball in fourth grade. I was just looking for a sport to spend my time in because I wasn’t sure what I was interested in. I love making new friends, and it gives me something to keep me active all the time.

What’s been the most memorable part of summer workouts?

Making new friends. I have all of my friends from volleyball. Meeting the new coaches has been fun, too. I think they’re awesome. I’m really excited for this upcoming year. They give really good feedback, nothing like I’ve ever had before, and I feel like I can really connect with them because it’s an all-girls staff.

What is your favorite all-time volleyball memory?

In club (Elite Volleyball Prep Academy) we got second place in AAU nationals, which was huge for me. Also, we won a bid this year to go to Dallas. We went undefeated up until the last game, and we had never done anything like that before, so it was super cool to accomplish that.

What makes you confident in this year’s Sarasota High volleyball team?

I’m super confident in our new coaching staff. I’m really excited for the games this year. But also, we have some amazing talent on our team, and I feel like we can go really far.

What’s gone right for you in your development as a player lately?

Last year I decided to switch to playing libero after playing outside and other positions because I’m shorter and I want to play in college. So I’ve been working toward playing libero now, which is exciting, and I feel like I’m doing a good job. I wasn’t used to playing the position when I was younger, but I’ve had to learn a lot of things a lot faster, so it’s been challenging, but it’s also been fun.

What is your most humbling moment in volleyball?

How our Riverview game went last year and the end of the year was pretty humbling. We did not play our best and we got crushed.

What is your favorite meal?

I really like nachos. Chicken nachos, beef nachos, any nachos. I like to go to Mi Pueblo — that’s a place we go to as a family, and also Gilligan’s nachos are pretty good.

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

I don’t have any favorites. I kind of just watch everything.

What is your go-to warm-up song?

I have a playlist that’s like good vibes, but I don’t have a specific song I always listen to. It’s kind of a mix of everything.

If you’re not playing volleyball, what are you doing?

Hanging out with my friends and family. We like to go to the beach and the mall, kind of just local things in Sarasota. I like to go to the gym too when we’re not training.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

Having a sleepover with my friends, going to the beach and tanning and then going to practice at night. Then another sleepover with my friends.

Who is your favorite volleyball player and why?

She doesn’t play anymore, but McKenna Melville at UCF. She’s really inspiring. I went to UCF camp a couple of years ago and she talked to us, and I’ve looked up to her ever since. 

Finish this sentence. Sydney Mullen is…

Hard-working.